China donates malaria drugs to Salima District Hospital

The People’s Republic of China has donated Malaria drugs ‘Artemisinim’ worthy K58 million to Salima district hospital as one of its commitment to assist Malawi Government deal with increased cases of malaria in the lake shore district.

Standing in front of the doanted drugs Dr Namarika (left) and Wang (right)

The donation was officially done by the visiting Chinese Vice Minister of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Wang Gouqiang at a colorful ceremony which took place at Salima District Hospital on Wednesday.

In his statement before the symbolic hand over of the drugs Wang said the donation has come as a result of the cordial relationship between the two governments.

“We are aware that Malawi is facing many problems in the area of health including shortage of drugs, due to increased cases of malaria, therefore the government of the people’s republic of China is pleased to assist in different ways,” said Wang.

The vice minister further said scientists from China and their Malawian counterparts will be doing further research to find ways of eradicating malaria.

In an interview Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Dan Namarika thanked the government of China for the donation which he said will assist the Salima District Hospital in service provision to its clients.

“Generally a donation of K58 million worth of drugs to our hospital is not a small thing as this means that over a period the hospital will save on its budget for malaria drugs and that money will be used in other areas where there are shortfalls,” said Namarika.

Namarika further said reports from the Salima District Hospital have shown that the majority of patients are suffering from Malaria.

“We have been told that in the last two months over 200,000 cases of malaria were diagnosed at this hospital,” said Namarika.

Namarika also warned against theft of any drugs in government hospitals and appealed for the general public to be alert and report all theft of drugs.